SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A regional planning group told local leaders that Utah's rapidly growing population could double commute times, ramp up housing costs and amplify air quality problems in the coming decades without careful planning along the Wasatch Front urban core.

Executive Director of the Wasatch Front Regional Council Andrew Gruber warned a crowd of mayors, city council members and other local officials of the looming population boom Tuesday at the Wasatch Choice 2050 + Mayor's Metro-Solutions Symposium.

Utah's population is projected to hit more than 5 million by 2050, the Deseret Ne...